A forgotten city lost to the eons of time rocked between natural disasters, divine wars, and everything in between. The last vestige of the civilizations before the Jadendajuda first appeared. The buildings that survived the ravages were unstable, barely more than empty husks ready to collapse. The rest had already devolved into heaps of rubble cluttering the foundations on which they stood.
Slowly but steadily the forest reclaimed this ancient relic of a city. Moss, vines, and other plant life that once grew sparsely on the buildings now nearly covered them entirely. Trees had grown through some buildings, the canopy sprouting through the roof, and branches protruding out windows, giving the illusion the buildings were shrines built in reverence of the trees. Wild grasses had all but completely covered the ancient granite roads.
An ornate building decorated with stained glass windows stood tall in the center of the city. It was once a palace or perhaps a church; the difference did not matter to the five gray-skinned beings currently seated at one of the few intact tables.
"Father has been summoned to the oracle a lot lately," complained a young boy.
"These are uncertain times, my child," the boy's mother replied. "Patience. We'll eat as soon as he returns."
"The oracle can't keep up with the rapid changes in the future since the appointed time of the prophecy," a wrinkled old man entered the room. “We can take comfort in that fact. Our people succeeded and the vessel lives.”
"Are you certain?" The boy's mother raised her eyebrow doubtfully as she passed wooden bowls around, filled to the brim with a thick and heavy vegetable stew. Everyone tensed and turned to him.
"Not completely, no," the aged man shook his head, exhaling deeply as he fell into his chair at the table and replied. "I had hoped for confirmation one way or the other today. The oracle summoned me so many times and contradicted itself at nearly every turn. I thought this session earlier would finally have some clarity. Instead, it finally dismissed me complaining about a headache."
"What does it mean If the oracle can’t see it clearly?" The other adult male at the table shoved a spoonful of stew into his mouth.
"In a nutshell, big changes are coming. The nature, degree, origin, and extent of those changes are beyond what the oracle can perceive. From what I could make out before the oracle went stupid on me," the old man wasn't one for mincing words. He accepted a bowl of stew from his wife. "Thank you, dear. And that was a while ago—I've already told you this, but this is the last of the coherency. A vessel was chosen, the date of the ritual was decided, and upon success, it would be sent here for protection."
"Since then—" the old man paused to take a bite of his wife’s signature stew. "The oracle stated that something went wrong with the teleportation, the destination piece of the spell was interrupted or hijacked, but the oracle wasn't sure which. Whatever the case, the Mother of Prophecy ended up in the Ominous Forest.
"I can't figure out for the life of me how she's still alive," the old man paused as he stuffed a wooden spoonful of stew in his mouth. "She's somehow befriended a phoenix that's been keeping her safe."
"A phoenix? The oracle wasn't wrong about that?" her voice cracked and her complexion paled.
"Haven't I been telling you the oracle hasn't been making any sense?" the old man ate another spoonful before he continued, "Oh it gets better! The oracle foresaw her trying to drown in something called the Eternal Pond of Youth, whereupon all the injuries she's ever suffered have been erased like they never happened and when the pond was done healing her, the water carried her to the surface and placed her on the shore."
"Are you sure we can trust this oracle? It’s like it’s straight out of a fantasy novel. Nothing makes any sense." his wife asked as she ate her own bowl of stew.
"There's more." the old man heavily placed down his spoon, drawing their attention. "This miraculous healing water also sped up her pregnancy by three full months. The child of prophecy will be born within the next couple of days."
"..."
The old man looked at all the adults’ dumbfounded expressions with satisfaction, "Yeah, that was my reaction, too."
"At any rate, hurry up and finish eating. We're going to head out to collect the vessel soon. From what I can figure, she's going to need our help."
"That would be for the best." his wife replied and she continued to eat.
"It's a two day venture in one direction, so be prepared for that." the old man got up from the table, "Our destination is the Ominous Forest, so we'll be masking our presence as best we can."
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"Are you sure it's working?" his wife stepped forward nervously. "Whatever is making that horrific noise is heading right for us."
"Don't panic. I’m using the strongest spell I have, even a god would trip over us before it knew we're here." the old man replied with confidence, though internally he was also harboring doubts. He watched in the distance as a veritable dirt storm loomed, heading straight for them, accompanied by thunderous footfalls that were rapidly approaching.
Closer and closer, louder and louder. And the dirt storm was only getting bigger. Before long, they were in the midst of the man-made tempest.
"Is it still too early to panic?" his wife gave him a glare.
Before the old man could respond, the tall silhouette of a gray skinned woman appeared. The thunder from her footsteps long behind her, seemingly chasing her as she came to a stop before them.
She was a young woman, in the prime of health. Her white eyes shone brightly with the rekindled light of hope. The four adults shifted uncomfortably as her aura engulfed them. Forged from loss, tempered with determination and quenched by inner strength, but still garnering a gentle elegance with a hint of fragility, a cold shiver ran down their spines as they imagined the hardships required to exude such a unique atmosphere. She was simply the best candidate to be the vessel of prophecy.
The thunderous noise finally caught up and faded, causing them to take a collective step back. All eyes were on her. There was no doubt any longer; this woman was the source of that entire commotion. The four adults watched her with bated breath while hiding their children behind.
She stared back at them, a longing visible in her teary eyes. Slowly she wiped the wetness away, collected herself and brought her right hand in front of her chest. Her hand and fingers seemed to dance about before closing into a fist; their time-honored tradition of greeting.
The group witnessed that and all exhaled their collectively held breath. The adults mimicked her actions, while the little boy fumbled through it, the tiny girl next to him excitedly made a mockery of it as she did it as quickly as possible.
"Cease your spell," Vivian nodded in acknowledgement to their greeting, a smile creeping into her features as she watched the little girl.
"But—" the old man was prepared to object.
"Trust me, it's actually making you weaker," Vivian interrupted.
"I am aware," the old man sighed, avoiding the gaze from his wife, but maintained the illusion.
"You knew?" Vivian asked incredulously, "and you use it anyway?"
"Safety is always first, no matter the cost," he confidently replied, his voice the embodiment of conviction.
“No matter the cost,” Vivian echoed slowly. She had found herself on the receiving end of such selfless sacrifice countless times over the years. A heavy price had been paid every time. The life she has now is paved in the blood of those guardians.
"Are you the vessel of prophecy?" the old man's wife interjected in the pause.
"Viviiiiiiiiaaaaaaaaaaan!" a shrill high pitched voice broke through the air originating from a long distance away.
"That silly phoenix! There’s no need to call out from that far away," Vivian shook her head in disapproval.
"So it is true? You've befriended a phoenix?" The adults corralled the kids between them and cautiously took a step away.
"A baby phoenix," Vivian corrected. "but that detail doesn't actually mean much."
"And you attempted to drown yourself?" the young boy poked his head around his parents’ legs.
"Wha? No, that wasn’t the intent. Although I admit I didn't stop to think about what I was doing properly. If the water hadn't pushed me onto solid ground when it was done healing my body, I would have drowned," Vivian reflected on that hasty decision. "but that's not important right now."
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"Then, it's true that the water hastened your pregnancy?" the old man asked.
"Yes, quite true—I'm pretty sure it'll just be two more days," Vivian nodded.
"We should head back, it’s not safe for us here," the old man's wife urged.
"Good idea, we can talk on the way," Vivian approached them casually, "As my companion declared so willingly for me, my name is Vivian. And you are?"
"We don't have names," the old man shook his head.
"Ah, yes of course. Three... two... one." as Vivian reached one, Isa landed casually on her shoulder. "This is Isa, my baby phoenix."
"Isa? A named phoenix?" The group took yet another cautious step away from Vivian.
"I can already see this is going to be awkward," Isa stated as she puffed out her feathers. “I’m not a baby phoenix!”
"Not a phoenix at all, are you?" Vivian declared.
"No," Isa took flight with a huff and allowed her shapeshifting to unravel. Seven pairs of eyes watched in wonder as her true form unfolded.
"That actually explains a lot," Vivian said. "I was curious how you had overpowered that beldereaver. An adult phoenix couldn't easily pull that off, I had my doubts before then though."
"A mirage dragon?!" the old man's heart skipped a few beats, taking in the full sight of the majestic creature that suddenly coiled around them.
"We're not quite extinct yet," Isa chuckled as she transformed back into a baby phoenix. "You'd be surprised just how many of us are still around, hiding in plain sight."
"We really should head back," the woman insisted. "It's only a 15 minute walk from here."
"Sasha, are you all right? You're awfully quiet."
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“Very funny,” Vivian snorted.
I was hoping you forgot about me. I've been dreading the moment you ask me to integrate with them.
"I wasn't going to, at least not at this time. I figured it would be best to wait until you've cleaned up the anomaly, so you don't accidently corrupt them. Aside from that, with all your current limitations, could you even integrate with them?"
Corruption—
“Sasha?” Vivian waited a moment for a response.
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"How long have you been living in this place?" Vivian asked, marveling how the city was a physical testament to living side by side with nature. It was a comfortable sight and helped her to relax. Her people had always lived close to nature, going as far as preserving its natural state and doing everything in their power to help it thrive.
"A very long time. What generation are we again?" the old man stated as he cut off his camouflaging spell.
"We don't rightly know how long it's been, eventually one year blends into another," his wife added. "but as long as we can remember."
"Isa," Vivian turned to the phoenix. "I don't suppose you have that skin you were supposed to collect?"
"Er... no." Isa admitted, "I dropped everything when I heard you running."
"No worries. I can do without it," Vivian said absently as she slowly looked over each of the six people she was walking with. "Would you mind finding us something to eat?"
"No problem," Isa replied and flew off into the forest.
"You interact with your guardian so casually," the old man stated.
"Guardian?" Vivian asked, well that does make some sense actually given everything that's happened.
The old man simply nodded, not volunteering anything further.
Vivian looked over the six of them again. "Ugh, this is so frustrating."
The six of them looked at her cautiously after her little outburst.
"I'm calling you Elder," Vivian said to the old man.
"You'll be Matriarch," Vivian turned to his wife.
"I—I dare not be called that," she refused immediately. "That is a title more befitting of you after all."
"You have a point, I wouldn’t want to be called that either," Vivian shook her head dismissing that idea. "Alright, you’re Lulu."
"Is it too late for me to refute being called 'Elder'?" the old man asked. “I’m still young.”
"Daryl," Vivian acquiesced.
"Bayne," Vivian pointed to the other adult male.
"Molli," Vivian turned to the last adult. The woman nodded.
Vivian looked at the two children, a young boy and girl. Their eyes were shining as they waited in anticipation.
"Emily and Evan," she looked at the girl and boy respectively.
While the two kids were openly expressing their jubilation, the adults were wearing deadpan expressions. But deep down they were all equally excited.
Now then, with that restriction out of the way. Vivian silently made a request of the system.
Jadendajuda: Daryl
Daryl may appear old, but he has only recently turned 25. Using his life to pay the mana cost of spells has advanced his physical appearance far beyond his actual years. He takes protecting his family very seriously, and spares no expense to keep them safe. He is the local prophet, capable of receiving messages from the Oracle. Father of Evan. He is grateful to the Matriarch for granting him the name Daryl instead of Elder.
I gave him the name. Why am I referred to as the Matriarch? Vivian felt a bad taste in her mouth as she called up the next one.
Jadendajuda: Lulu
Lulu recently turned 40, her outward appearance is that of a woman half her age. What's her secret? A humble woman with her feet firmly on the ground, she knows her place in life. She is a dabbler in simple woodcraft. Mother of Evan. She was shocked when the Matriarch suggested a title far beyond her station to be her name, and promptly refused.
Vivian cursed silently and continued on while shaking her head.
Jadendajuda: Evan
Between his down-to-earth mother and his overprotective father, this youth has a rough future ahead of him. From his mother, he will always be aware of his limits and what he is truly capable of. From his father, he will always push against those limits as hard as he can when it comes to protecting those he cares about. Eight years old. Granted the name Evan by the Matriarch. His parents couldn't be prouder of this fact.
Vivian dismissed the box, prepared herself and moved on.
Jadendajuda: Bayne
Bayne has some slight martial skill, though not enough to actually be useful. He has crude tools he uses for hunting small animals, and just barely enough knowledge to maintain his tools and keep them in a usable condition. Lately, he has resorted to assisting his wife, Molli, in gathering roots and fruits as the small game has been harder and harder to find of late. 22 years old. Loves his wife and daughter dearly. Father of Emily. He proudly received his name from the Matriarch.
Who went and made me the Matriarch? Don’t I get a chance to say I don’t want to be? What even makes me qualified? Vivian screamed in her head as she summoned the next.
Jadendajuda: Molli
This taciturn woman only rarely speaks and then, only when she deems it absolutely necessary, preferring to be alone with her thoughts. Molli tolerates Bayne's presence when foraging as it helps provide food for the clan. 22 years old. Mother of Emily. She has taken a liking to the name the Matriarch granted.
Vivian was attempting to read about Emily, but the little fireball was running around on endless energy. Vivian managed to catch Emily as she ran around and between her legs.
"Aren't you just precious?" Vivian asked as she lightly pinched Emily's cheek causing her to giggle.
Jadendajuda: Emily
This little bundle of joy spends all of her time with Evan. She is saddened that her mother wants little to do with her. She understands her father's work is important for the clan, still she would like to spend more time with both of them, as she loves them both dearly. 6 years old. She absolutely adores the name granted to her by the Matriarch.
Vivian didn't realize she was staring at Emily the whole time she was reading the system box, her face had developed a frown as she read along. The little girl had fearfully shrunk in her arms. Vivian gave her a brief hug, forced a smile and propped her up on her shoulder. This little girl wants to spend more time with her parents. I can't say I blame her. Time is precious.
"This way, Matriarch," Daryl led the way. Isa returned bearing a large wild boar.
"Please, call me Vivian," Vivian replied, matching their pace.
The four adults exchanged glances in silence.
"Just accept it," Isa chimed in. "It will be your official title before much longer anyway. So no use fighting it."